What food does the winter solstice custom eat?

As the saying goes, "the winter solstice is as big as a year", and Hanshu says, "The sun shines on the winter solstice, your majesty, congratulations." The world thinks that the winter solstice is an auspicious day blessed by God, so it is more lively to worship and entertain each other than New Year's Eve. So, what foods do you know about the custom of winter solstice?

1, eat jiaozi

In many places, it is the custom to eat jiaozi from the solstice in winter. In China, no matter rich or poor, jiaozi is an indispensable holiday food on people's table. According to legend, the custom of eating jiaozi in winter solstice is because Zhang Zhongjing does not forget to give alms to "dispel cold and charming ear soup". There is a saying among Nanyang people that "jiaozi can't be reached on the solstice in winter, and nobody cares if you freeze your ears".

Step 2 eat glutinous rice balls

Eating glutinous rice balls on the solstice in winter is a traditional custom in China, especially in the south. There is a folk saying that "eating glutinous rice balls is one year older". Eating jiaozi on the solstice in Guangdong is also called jiaozi, and eating jiaozi on the solstice in Guangdong is also called "jiaozi on the solstice in winter". According to the records of Qing Dynasty, Jiangnan people used glutinous rice flour to make noodles with essence, meat, apples, bean paste, shredded radish and so on. At present, when making glutinous rice balls in many areas of Guangdong, some yellow sugar, that is, sweet glutinous rice balls, are generally added, while in Wuyi area of Jiangmen, "salty glutinous rice balls" are made by kneading glutinous rice flour into glutinous rice balls, then moving them into strips slightly larger than fingers, then cutting them into small balls with scissors or knives, and then cooking them with Xinhui sweet radish.

Step 3 eat mutton

It is said that the custom of eating mutton on the winter solstice began in the Han Dynasty. According to legend, Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han Dynasty, ate mutton cooked in Fan Kuai on the solstice of winter, which was particularly delicious and full of praise. Since then, the custom of eating mutton from winter solstice has been formed among the people. On the solstice of winter, people eat mutton and various nourishing foods one after another in order to have a good omen for the coming year. Now in Tengzhou, Shandong Province, this day is called Fujiu. Before the festival, the elders will be given gifts such as mutton, and everyone will drink mutton soup, which is a good sign for individuals, elders and families.

Step 4 eat wonton

Many places in southern China have the custom of eating wonton in winter solstice. In the Southern Song Dynasty, Lin 'an (now Hangzhou) also had the custom of eating wonton in winter solstice. The Song people explained in detail that Lin 'an people eat wonton to worship their ancestors on the solstice in winter. It was not until the Southern Song Dynasty that the custom of eating wonton on the solstice became popular in China. Today, wonton has become a famous snack with many kinds, different productions and delicious taste all over the country, which is deeply loved by people. There are many unique wonton that are deeply loved by diners all over the world, including the famous wonton in Chengdu Long Wonton Museum, which has a wide variety, thin skin and tender stuffing, and delicious soup.

5. Eat winter solstice noodles

As the saying goes, "Eating noodles on the solstice in winter makes the day longer", which means that the days will become longer and longer from winter to the future. "Winter solstice noodle", commonly known as "dried noodles", is one of the pasta. Eating winter solstice noodles is the custom of celebrating winter solstice in Anhui. Winter solstice noodles are handmade by local people, which is a traditional food custom in China. Handmade vermicelli is very particular. It is made of fine wheat, refined salt, eggs and other natural materials through eight processes, such as mixing, waking, serving, hanging and pulling. In Hefei, Anhui Province, the custom of eating noodles from winter solstice is related to solar terms, climate and agriculture. In the cold winter, eating a bowl of hot egg noodles is also a winter solstice.

Step 6 drink winter wine

There is an old saying in Suzhou, "If you don't drink winter wine on the solstice in winter, you will be frozen overnight." On the solstice of winter, mellow and delicious winter wine will inevitably appear on the table of every household in Suzhou. Suzhou people and the winter solstice always have a bowl of winter wine that they can't give up. Dongniang is a kind of low-alcohol yellow rice wine, with osmanthus and some Chinese herbal medicines. Jiangnan is a rice producing area, where rice wine is popular among the people, while Suzhou is rich in osmanthus. Therefore, on the solstice of winter, people are popular to drink osmanthus winter wine.

The solstice of winter is an auspicious and grand day, which represents the continuation of sunshine, hope and passion. The solstice of winter is a time for family and friends to get together and have fun, and it is also a time to thank for the work of the past year and be grateful to soothe their own or others' hearts. Celebrate the winter solstice, express love, support and blessings to each other, and have a special and unforgettable winter solstice!